Eustaquio steps closer to ONE FC title after weekend win

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Team Lakay’s Eugene Eustaquio is now just a victory away from becoming the first ONE FC flyweight champion after outpunching Shooto veteran Kentaro Watanabe en route to a decision win over the weekend.

At first, “Gravity” was troubled by Watanabe’s big right hand and was forced to survival mode in the opening round of their bout in ONE FC 17: Era of Champions last Friday.

Eustaquio then bounced back in the second round by eluding the right hand and engaging Watanabe in a tactical match in front of Indonesian fans at the Mata Elang International Stadium in Jakarta.

His striking prowess was so convincing that the judges handed him a unanimous decision win.

“He (Watanabe) only has one weapon – the right hand,” said Eustaquio in Rivals.ph. “My coach said, ‘put up your left hand, there’s no way [he] can win.”

The two other Filipinos who fought in the same ONE FC card were not as lucky.

Boxer Jomanz Omanz lost in his mixed martial arts debut after facing the tough task of fighting former Muay Thai world champion Dejdamrong sor Amnuaysirichoke.

The Thai fighter overwhelmed the Filipino with his leg kicks and accurate punches before taking the fight to the ground. Referee Oliver Coste was forced to end to the contest after seeing Omanz failing to defend himself.

Ruel Catalan also suffered a defeat in the hands of Malaysia’s Gianni Subba. The Malaysian trapped Catalan in a triangle choke position, and rained down elbows that forced the Filipino to tap out.

In the main event, Brazil’s Adriano Moraes forced Kosuke Suzuki to tap out via arm triangle choke in the third round.